I have a 1999 F150 4.6 (with an Allen supercharger kit) with a automatic 4R70W transmission. I have installed a Baumann shift kit, with two Sonnax Valves and replaced actuator spring for a stiffer "supercharger spring.

Going to install a 2000 Lightning 5.4 engine and a 2001 Lightning supercharger assembly.

Supposely, the fins in my stock torque converter will explode with the power of the Lightning set-up.

I need to get another torque converter. I would like to get another torque converter from a salvage yard, but I do not know which one to search for.

Does any one know the make, model and year of a vehicle that uses a torque converter that will bolt up to the 5.4 lightning flywheel AND slide onto the F150 4R70W transmission AND function properly AND provide me with a tougher torque converter, than my stock version? Thanks.

 

I can't give you a good recommendation on a stock converter to install. Any lightning or powerstroke built since 2003 should work fine. Any 6 stud 5.4 converter will bolt in but the powerstrokes and lightnings have better dampers in them.
I would think twice before installing a salvage yard converter.
In my opinion you have 2 options. Buy a new one from ford or buy a quality unit from Factory Tech.
Alan

 

dirtyd0g,

Thanks for taking time to respond! I just read over in the Lightning forum, that you BUILD the torque converters for Factory Tech!

I wanted to use the Lightning R100 torque converter, but I was unsure, if it would slide onto the splined shaft of the F150 4R70W transmission. Based on your expertise, I am going to get an 03' Lightning torque converter for my set-up.

However, when I blow up my stock transmission (and I will), I intend to buy a performance enhanced torque converter and transmissiom from your company. Thanks again!

 

Factory tech builds converters for the 4r70w transmissions as well now. I am pretty sure you will have to use a 4 bolt flexplate with the 4r70w I am not yet aware of any 4r70w front covers that have the 6 bolt configuration.
I was somehow thinking you were going to use the 4r100 transmission. I guess I should have paid closer attention.
Any of the 2003up 4r70w converters should be furnace brazed from the factory.
The 4r100 converter will not work in your 4r70w sorry.
Alan

 

If I am using the 5.4 Lightning engine AND the lightning 6 bolt flexplate, can I use the Lightning torque converter with my F150 4r70w transmission?

Or, even though the lightning torque converter would bolt up to the lightning engine and 6 bolt flexplate, would the torque converter NOT work with the 4r70w transmission???????????

If I can not use a lightning torque converter with a lightning engine/6 bolt flex plate AND a F150 4r70w transmission, should I get a 2003 or newer F150 4r70w torque converter????????

If I have to get a 03' F150 torque converter, that also means, that I would have to get a F150 5.4 4 bolt torque converter flexplate that uses 8 bolts to mount the flex plate to the Lightning 5.4 engine?????????????????

In other words, if I can not use a lightning torque converter with a 4r70w transmission (will not fit on splined shaft?, or will not shift properly?, etc?), then I can get a 03' F150 4r70w torque converter BUT, I will need to get an F150 4 bolt torque converter flex plate, that uses 8 bolts to mount to the flex plate to the back of the lightning 5.4 engine, SINCE the lightning flexplate uses 6 bolts to mount a torque converter (and 8 bolts to mount to the engine) AND SINCE my stock 4.6 flexplate uses ONLY 6 bolts to mount the flex plate to the engine (and 4 bolts to mount the torque converter). ........okay I am getting dizzy!

 

Just to add to this, how are you going to control a 4R70W transmission with a Lightning PCM? Or the reverse, how would you control a Lightning engine with a 4.6L PCM? The Lightning PCM knows how to control a 4R100 transmission, but not a 4R70W.

I think you would be WAY ahead to use the Lightning engine and transmission together, or stick with the 4.6L and the 4R70W.

 

Good points and good questions.

After trial and error of many before me, we now know that:

1. If you use ONLY the lightning supercharger assembly or ONLY the supercharger assembly and engine, you use your stock F150 computer and just have a tuned chip for it as you would for a supercharger kit.

2. If you use the lightning supercharger assembly, engine AND the lightning r100 transmission, you MUST use the lightning computer AND a tuned chip.

3. If you want to use the lightning twin fuel pump set-up, you MUST use the lightning computer, therefore you MUST use the lightning transmission along with the supercharger assembly and a 5.4 engine.


It would be nice to do a complete swap, but it would require much more money and more down time. As well as, when I go up in boost (16 psi and higher), I would have to replace all major components (engine, tranny, and torque converter at a minimum) anyway regardless if I use the lightning transmission or not.

I am doing a lightning swap on a budget. So far, I am on track to have less than $3,000 in it (not including a reburn of my flipchip). That is for a low mileage lightning engine, complete lightning supercharger assembly, related parts, and hopefully a ............... torque converter! haha!

I still confused as to, which torque converter/flexplate combo to use with a lighting 5.4 engine and a F150 4r70w transmission?

 

You will need a flexplate off of a late model 4.6L w/4r70w and a converter from the same.

 

dirtyd0g,

Thanks!

So a late model (03') F150 4.6 flex plate plate, uses an 8 bolt pattern to mount the plate to the engine, yet the flex plate has a 4 bolt pattern to mount the torque converter to the flex plate?
I am looking for both items right now.



.......just wondering.......

If I can use a late model F150 4.6 flexplate, why not the F150 5.4 version as well?

 

Yep goodluck.
I hope the 4r70w can keep up with the SC 5.4

 

[quote] originally posted by iron horse If I can use a late model F150 4.6 flexplate, why not the F150 5.4 version as well?

The late model 5.4 flexplate can be used but only if it is from a 4r70w transmission.